Chapter 45: Help
"Do you know which tribes are being stubborn?" Sosora asked after a while, not looking away from the ceiling above Malak's bed.
"The Lowat tribe is making so much of a fuss that it's hard to tell how many they are actually speaking for. But the Jakka, Uaya, and Vedel tribes seem to be taking their side."
"Just the four of them?" Sosora asked. If it was just four tribes raising their voices, why was it such a big deal?
"Well...There are four tribes who want solitude and your head. The Aer tribe is against it. But your tribe's votes are pretty weak." Malak sighed. "There also aren't many tribes who are bothering to voice their opinions."
"It's four against one, then," Sosora said with a flat voice.
"Yeah." Malak hung his head apologetically. He didn't know what to say. It wasn't a bright situation.
Sosora's eyes shifted as she thought about it.
"But that's just regarding my incident, right? What about Nick? What about the Outsider?" Sosora asked, glancing at Malak as she grabbed his pillow and started fiddling with the corner.
"That's...No one is as vocal about the Outsider as they've been about you. It's hard to tell which way people are leaning."
"Is no one taking a stance?" Sosora asked in disbelief.
"They're being cautious. It's still unclear how he is staying in the center of the forest without the monster kings attacking him. And while he's been friendly with us and those who have come to see him, there's no guarantee he isn't a threat. There are just too many questions for anyone to vouch for him."